Priority clip board and clip therefor

ABSTRACT

A priority clip board having along one side margin a plurality of resilient clips connected in spaced relation to a flexible endless member, the endless member and clips being movable to position memo sheets held by various of the clips to selected positions on the board. The sheets are adapted to be arranged in overlapping relation, the upper margin of each sheet being visible to expose subject matter information, and are subject to convenient rearrangement in accordance with desired priority for attention. For convenience, a pad of blank memo sheets is mounted on the board. The resilient clip is of unitary construction and formed of plastic material, and the connection thereof with the endless member biases the clamping jaws together, the jaws being opened in conventional manner by squeezing together a pair of manual parts of the clip. The clips are tiltable to expose the entire surface of a desired sheet.

limited Mates Patent [191 Voitik Mar. 12, 19741 PRIORITY CLii ii'oARD AND CLI'P THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Robert M. Voitilt, 1619 Imperial Dr., Glenview, 111. 60025 22 Filed: Nov. 20, 1972 211 App]. No.: 307,961

[52] US. Cl. 24/675, 40/l04.03 [51] Int. Cl B421 1/00 [58] Field of Search 24/673, 67.5, 67.7, 67.11,

Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Assistant ExaminerKenneth J. Dorner Attorney, Agent, or FirmEdward U. Dithmar [57] ABSTRACT I A priority clip board having along one side margin a plurality of resilient clips connected in spaced relation to a flexible endless member, the endless member and clips being movable to position memo sheets held by various of the clips to selected positions on the board. The sheets are adapted to be arranged in overlapping relation, the upper margin of each sheet being visible to expose subject matter information, and are subject to convenient rearrangement in accordance with desired priority for attention. For convenience, a pad of blank memo sheets is mounted on the board. The resilient clip is of unitary construction and formed of plastic material, and the connection thereof with the endless member biases the clamping jaws together, the

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU mm a 21914 SHEET 1 0F 2 JIIII/II/IIII/IIII/l/l/Wl/YII PAIENIEDHAR 21914 3395353 sum 2 or 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a clip board for memo sheets, and more particularly to a priority clip board adapted to receive a plurality of memo sheets in an initial order, or a rearranged order dictated by priority considerations, the sheets being arranged in overlapping relation such that the upper marginal portion of each sheet is exposed for displaying subject information.

Conventional clip boards normally have a single resilient clip at one end extending substantially across the board, and associated memo sheets usually are held one above the other, so all are covered except the one on top. When all memo sheets on the board are to be reviewed for priority of attention purposes, all sheets usually are removed and examined separately, thus to some extent defeating the purpose of the clip board in keeping the sheets together.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved clip board of such construction that the various memo sheet may be arranged in an initial order with the upper marginal portion of each sheet, which bears the subject indication, visible at a glance.

Another object is to provide a priority clip board wherein each memo sheet is held by an individual resilient clip, the clips being spaced from each other and mounted on a flexible endless member which is movable so that the clips and retained memo sheets may be moved along the surfaceof the board from front to rear.

Another object is to provide a priority clip board of the foregoing type wherein clips holding memo sheets which mask a memo sheet desired for full inspection can be tilted with a flick of the fingers to expose the desired sheet in entirety.

Still another object is to provide a priority clip board having means to secure a pad of properly sized memo sheets so sheets for use with the board are conveniently available.

Still another object is to provide resilient clips especially adaptable for use with the priority clip board, each clip being unitary and formed of plastic material.

Still another object is to provide a priority clip board and clips therefor that are subject to low-cost manufacture and possess superior qualities for the purposes intended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention contemplates a priority clip board comprising a generally rectangular board member of substantial thickness having front and rear ends, a guide means on one of the side edges of the board PRIORITY CLIP BOARD AND CLIP THEREFoiR member extending from near the rear end toward the front end, the lower part of the guide means terminating above the plane of the lower surface of the board member to provide clearance space, a flexible endless member, for example a beaded chain, around the guide means, and resilient clips secured to the flexible endless member in spaced relation with each other, each clip having a portion guided by the guide means and clamp jaws adapted to secure the edge of a memo sheet overlying a portion of the board member, the endless member and attached clips being movable manually on the guide means to position memo sheets on said board member as desired for priority purposes. The clips are tiltable to elevate memo sheets carried thereby so the entire surface of a partially covered memo sheet may be exposed when desired.

In more detailed aspect, the upper surface of the board member adjacent the guide means in the front portion thereof is inclined downwardly toward the front for facilitating engagement of overlapping memo sheets with the clips. Also, the front portion of the board member optionally has means for securing a pad of memo sheets.

The invention also contemplates that the resilient clip is unitary in character and formed of plastic material, the clip comprising an elongated upper portion having a clamping jaw at one end and a manual part at the other end, an elongated lower portion having a clamping jaw at one end and a manual part at the other end, the two clamping jaws and the two manual parts, respectively, having efiective relation with each other, and a resilient web connecting the upper and lower portions, the web having a central length extending generally parallel with and spaced from the upper and lower portions, whereby space for a carrier member, for example a beaded chain, is provided between the central length and the lower portion, the carrier member being of such size as to bias the clamping jaws into engagement, the manual parts being normally spaced apart and movable toward each other to separate the clamping jaws.

The manual parts of the clip have opposing protuberances which serve as stops to prevent excessive movement of the manual parts during actuation of the clip. Also, the lower portion of the clip has a recess adapted to receive a part of the carrier member for secure attachment. In addition, the lower portion of the clip may have an external projection generally aligned with the recess which is adapted to be received within a guide means for positioning the clip, and the lower surface of the lower clamp jaw is beveled to facilitate the placement thereunder of the adjacent margin of a memo sheet not eing held by that clip.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a priority clip board embodying the invention, a number of memo sheets being shown clipped to the board.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the priority clip board, the pad of memo sheets shown in FIG. 1 being omitted to illustrate a means for securing the pad to the board. 7

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the priority board shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of a unitary resilient clip forming part of the priority board, the shape of the clip shown in FIG. 5 being that'of the clip as formed.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the clip comparable to that of FIG. 5, except that the clip is shown mounted on a carrier member, the carrier member being of such size as to bias the clamping jaws of the clip into engagement with each other.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4, a priority clip board embodying the invention is generally designated 10.

Clip board comprises a rectangular board member 12 of substantial thickness, as best shown in FIGS. 1

and 4, board member 12 having ends 13 and 14 (FIGS. 1-3) designated front and rear, respectively, for descriptive purposes.

A guide means 15 is provided on one of the side edges of board member 12, the illustrated side edge being the left edge when viewing the board from front end 13, guide means 15 extending from near rear end 14 of board member 12 toward front end 13. As shown, guide means 15 extends along about two-thirds the length of board member 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper part of guide means 15 is generally at the level of the rear upper surface of board member 12, and the lower part of guide means 15 terminates above the plane of the lower surface of board member 12 to provide a clearance space. Guide means 15 possesses a continuous recess in the upper and lower parts and at the ends so as to provide guidance for an endless assembly presently to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper surface of board member 12 adjacent guide means 15 has a rear portion 18 which is generally parallel to the bottom plane of board member 12 and front portion 19 which is inclined downwardly toward front end 13. The purpose of the inclination will be mentioned presently.

A flexible endless member such as a beaded chain 20 (FIGS. 2-4) extends around guide means 15 in general alignment with the aforesaid guide means recess.

A plurality of resilient clips are secured to beaded chain 20 in spaced relation with each other. Each clip 25 has a portion 26 (FIG. 4) received within the recess of, and guided by, guide means 15. The endless member (beaded chain 20) and attached clips 25 are movable manually on guide means 15, the movement, of course, enabling memo sheets held by clips 25 to be positioned as desired on the surface of board member 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower part of guide means 15, as previously mentioned, is spaced above the plane of the lower surface of board member 12 to provide a clearance space. This space is occupied by clips 25 when positioned below guide means 15.

As will be understood, a memo sheet 30 (FIG. 1) from an associated pad 31, or from elsewhere, is written up and secured to the clip board by means of one of the clips 25, for example by the clip that positions the sheet on the board adjacent pad 31, if such a pad is provided, or toward front end 13 of the board. The subject information of the memo normally is written at the upper margin of the sheet.

In attaching a memo sheet to a clip 25, the marginal edge of the sheet adjacent the clips is placed under the clips lying forwardly of the clip securing the sheet, and to facilitate this placement, the adjacent undersurface of each clip 25 is beveled, as best shown at 27 in FIGS. 5 and 6.

A second memo sheet 32 (FIG. 1) is attached to the board by the clip 25 forwardly of the clip holding first sheet 30, the second sheet 32 overlapping the first sheet except for the upper margin containing subject matter information. The assembly of flexible endless member 20 and clips 25 is moved toward rear board end 14 as each successive memo sheet is attached in overlapping manner, as will be understood.

Inclined front portion 19 of board 12 provides space to receive overlapping portions of memo sheets so previously attached sheets do not interfere unduly with the attachment of subsequent sheets.

As will be understood, a plurality of memo sheets conveniently can be attached to board 10 in orderly manner, the upper margin of each sheet bearing subject matter information being visible at all times. When priorities change, it is a simple matter to rearrange the sheets so that the highest priority sheet will be farthest toward rear end 14. If there were no rearrangement, the chronological order of sheets would be from rear to front. When the higher priority sheets have received attention, they are removed, and the clips moved toward rear end 14 to provide space for subsequent memo sheets.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, it will be noted that clips 25 extend beyond the free edge of guide means 15, and that guided portion 26 of each clip has detachable and pivotal relation with guide means 15. This arrangement enables one or more clips 25 to be tilted out of the illustrated normal position so memo sheets carried thereby can be elevated to expose the full surface of any desired memo sheet. Thus, a memo sheet readily can be inspected in its entirely without detaching all the sheets from the board, or leafing through all the sheets until the desired one is located. Also, as previously mentioned, the subject matter information of all sheets is visible at all times.

For added convenience, clip board 10 desirably is provided with means for securing a pad 31 of memo sheets. As shown in FIG. 2, the illustrated means is a pair of spaced slots 35 and 36, the slots converging from rear to front so the conventional cardboard at the base of the pad 31 can have its side edges entering the slots for retention purposes. The rear ends of slots 35 and 36 are curved outwardly to facilitate assembly.

For additional convenience a pencil trough 40 (FIGS. 1-3) may be provided in board member 12 adjacent front end 13, as well as a pencil well 41 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in board member 12 rearwardly of pad 31.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, a clip 25 particularly suitable for use in the invention is shown. Clip 25 is adapted to be secured to a carrier member such as a beaded chain 20, and is unitary and formed of plastic material.

Clip 25 has an elongated upper portion 45 having a clampingjaw 46 at one end and a manual part 47 at the other end. It also has a lower portion 50 having a clamping jaw 51 at one end and a manual part 52 at the other end, the two clampingjaws 46'and 51 and the two manual parts 47 and 52, respectively, having effective relation with each other as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

A resilient web 55 connects upper and lower portions 45 and 50, the web having a central length 56 extending generally parallel with and spaced from the upper and lower portions. Space for a carrier member 20 (FIG. 6) is provided between central length 56 and lower portion 50, carrier member 20 being of such size as to bias clamping jaws 46 and 51 into engagement with each other as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 5 shows the shape of clip 25 when formed, and it will be noted that clamping jaws 46 and 51 are not in engagement. Thus,

a carrier member or the like is necessary to make the clip operational.

Referring to FlG. 6, manual parts 47 and 52 of clip 25 normally are spaced apart, and are movable toward each other in conventional manner to separate jaws 46 and 51, as will be understood. Opposing protuberances 60 and 61 provided on manual parts 47 and 52, respectively, serve as stops to prevent excessive movement of the manual parts during actuation of the clip.

As best shown in FIG. 7, lower portion 50 has a centrally located irregular recess generally designated 65, the purpose of recess 65 being to provide secure attachment between clip 25 and an associated carrier member. The precise shape of recess 65 will depend on the shape of the carrier member, the recess shape shown in FIG. 7 being suitable for beaded chain 20.

When clip 25 is to be used with the priority board of the invention, the clip is provided with external projection 26 in general alignment with recess 65, the projection 26 being adapted to be received within a guide means for positioning the clip and for providing guided clip movement.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A priority clip board, comprising:

a generally rectangular board member of substantial thickness having front and rear ends;

guide means on one of the side edges of said board member extending from near said rear end toward said front end, the lower part of said guide means being above the plane of the lower surface of said board member to provide a clearance space;

a flexible endless member around said guide means;

and resilient clips attached to said flexible endless member in spaced relation with each other, each clip having clamp jaws adapted to secure the edge of a memo sheet overlying a portion of said board member, manual parts for actuating said clamp jaws and a portion guided by said guide means;

said endless member and attached clips being movable manually around said guide means to position memo sheets on said board member as desired for priority purposes, the clips below said guide means occupying said clearance space.

2. The priority clip board of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said board member adjacent said guide means in the front portion thereof is inclined downwardly toward the front for facilitating engagement of memo sheets with said clips, the memo sheets partially overlapping each other and leaving exposed the upper margins thereof.

3. Thepriority clip board of claim 2 wherein the lower clamp jaw of each clip has a beveled undersurface for facilitating the placement of the adjacent edge of a memo sheet under the clips lying forwardly of the clip securing the memo sheet.

4. The priority clip board of claim 1 with the addition to the front portion of said board member of means for securing a pad of memo sheets.

5. The priority clip board of claim 1 wherein said flexible endless member is a beaded chain.

6. The priority clip board of claim 1 wherein the manual parts of said clips extend laterally beyond the free edge of said guide means, whereby said clips are tiltable to elevate memo sheets secured thereby for exposing the full surface of a desired memo sheet. 

1. A priority clip board, comprising: a generally rectangular board member of subsTantial thickness having front and rear ends; guide means on one of the side edges of said board member extending from near said rear end toward said front end, the lower part of said guide means being above the plane of the lower surface of said board member to provide a clearance space; a flexible endless member around said guide means; and resilient clips attached to said flexible endless member in spaced relation with each other, each clip having clamp jaws adapted to secure the edge of a memo sheet overlying a portion of said board member, manual parts for actuating said clamp jaws and a portion guided by said guide means; said endless member and attached clips being movable manually around said guide means to position memo sheets on said board member as desired for priority purposes, the clips below said guide means occupying said clearance space.
 2. The priority clip board of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said board member adjacent said guide means in the front portion thereof is inclined downwardly toward the front for facilitating engagement of memo sheets with said clips, the memo sheets partially overlapping each other and leaving exposed the upper margins thereof.
 3. The priority clip board of claim 2 wherein the lower clamp jaw of each clip has a beveled undersurface for facilitating the placement of the adjacent edge of a memo sheet under the clips lying forwardly of the clip securing the memo sheet.
 4. The priority clip board of claim 1 with the addition to the front portion of said board member of means for securing a pad of memo sheets.
 5. The priority clip board of claim 1 wherein said flexible endless member is a beaded chain.
 6. The priority clip board of claim 1 wherein the manual parts of said clips extend laterally beyond the free edge of said guide means, whereby said clips are tiltable to elevate memo sheets secured thereby for exposing the full surface of a desired memo sheet. 